To host or not to host. Understanding the factors affecting the intent to participate as Airbnb hosts.
(A2019-9989)

AUTHORS

Yioula Melanthiou, UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA; Paraskevi Dekoulou, UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA; Ioanna Papasolomou, UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA

KEYWORDS

peer-to-peer; SHARING; participation

ABSTRACT

Recognizing the importance of peer-to-peer sharing economy platforms, this paper focuses on the Airbnb case and particularly on users who choose to become hosts. With the research purpose to understand the factors that affect the intent of individuals to participate as Airbnb hosts several research questions were raised which intended to investigate the impact of disposition for trust-to-trust, trust to participation intention and to perceived risk. A quantitative methodological approach was adopted, and a structured online questionnaire was developed and distributed via Facebook to Airbnb hosts. Findings from 132 completed questionnaires mostly verified the hypotheses set out demonstrating that disposition for trust positively affects trust, trust positively affects participation intention but also negatively affects perceived risk.